MachineFinder News

American Red Cross receives donation from the John Deere Foundation

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tornadoes struck the southern U.S. in late April.

Talking about the recovery effort in Greene County, Tennessee, Greeneville John Deere plant manager Curt Cline told TriCities.com that "at this point, it’s more important to work on helping people rebuild their lives than building tractors for the moment."

An employee at Cline's factory tragically lost his life in the storms, and three others' homes were damaged, reported the news source. The Red Cross' Mid-South chapter mentioned that 65 shelters in nine states, including Tennessee, were used by 1,600 people following the severe weather.

John Deere supplied the relief effort with $250,000, equipment, and paid employees who volunteered to assist those affected. Agricultural and construction equipment, including tractors, provided by John Deere can be used in disaster relief work such as that now in progress in Tennessee.

"We’re obviously one of just many companies who are reaching out to support. There are others that are helping in the effort too and we’re just doing our part with them to help out a community in need," Cline observed to the media outlet.